General practitioners and help-seeking behavior in deprived neighborhoods in the Covid-19 crisis

Most patients of general practitioners in deprived areas said they found the Covid-19 rules important and did not find it difficult to comply with the rules. At the beginning of the Covid-19 epidemic, many patients thought that general practitioner care was unavailable. According to general practitioners, almost 90% of patient contacts were remote: by telephone, video calling or e-mail. Some general practitioners thought negatively about remote care for residents with less language skills or with low education. Results The research confirms that care for patients with a migration background was less often provided remotely during Covid-19 and that they visited GP consultations more often. It also emerged that people with chronic illnesses or financial problems more often had mental problems. Accessible facilities are recommended for these groups during the corona crisis. Good information is also needed about how infection can be prevented and how the GP can be reached.